Game implement



p 1934- F. N. VAN DER ma -4mm GAME IMPLEMENT Filed April 29 1937? Jwwcnkon Frederic/T N. Van Drlz'mfin;

Patented Sept. 18, 1934 GAME IMPLEMENT Frederick Norman Van Der Linden,

- Washington, D. 0.

Application April 29, 1933, Serial No. 668,655 8 Claims. (01. 273-129) i This invention relates, to ball stroking implements for use in playing a game, such as golf, croquet, etc., and particularly for use in playing a game similar to miniature golf, croquet, or the like.

Heretofore miniature golf games have been played which utilize clubs similar to those used in the usual game of golf as played on the regular outdoor course and involving the use of some of the usual strokes of the regular game of golf, such as the putting stroke, or the approach shot, etc., also other games such as croquet which use clubs or mallets which are controlled to stroke the ball by swinging the handle of the club.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide an implement which may be in simulation of the usual golf club or similar ball stroking clubs, but instead of being stroked into engagement with the ball by swinging the handle of the club, is provided with a mechanically actuated element for stroking the ball while the club is held in a fixed position, and requiring in its use the skill and judgment for positioning the device for direction.

A further purpose is to provide such a club with an adjustable face to determine the type of stroke.

to'be used in a miniature golf game, that is, whether pitches of variable trajectories or a putt is necessary to cause the ball to move in the most effective manner over such a miniature course with the usual tees, fairways, hazards and greens.

The foregoing andother purposes of the invention are obtained in the device illustrated in' the accompanying drawing and described below.

It is to be understood that the invention is not "limited to the specific form thereof shown and described.

Of the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is an elevation of a device in simulation of a golf club and embodying my invention, "parts broken away,

Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section through the heel portion of the club, parts broken away,

v Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 33 of Figure 1, V

Figure 4 is a detail section taken on line 4- of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the blade or head of the club, various adjustable positions being indicated in dotted lines,

Figure 6 is a transverse section through the blade or head taken on line 66 of Figure 1, the ball stroking element being indicated in a position to which it will swing in operation.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 10 designates a blade or club head which may be in. simulation of the blade. or head of a golf club supported by a handle 11 having the usual grip portion 12. The blade or head 10 is preferably mounted on the handle so that it may be adjusted to 6 various angles as by forming a trunnion 13 on the blade or head which is rotatable to different angular positions in a bearing 14 formed on the lower end of the handle. The blade or head may be secured in adjusted positions by means of a nut 15 threaded onto the end of the trunnion which pro jects through the outer end of the bearing. The nut being tightened against the outer end of the bearing, a friction washer 16 being preferably interposed between the nut and the bearing.

The blade or head 10 is preferably made of any suitable size or shape in transverse. section to provide a central portion of sufficient thickness as to permit forming a cavity 17 in the blade or head to receive a ball stroking element 18 which may be mounted therein so as to be flush with the face of the blade or head in its normal position. The element 18 may be pivoted as at 19,19 on a pin 20 extending across the cavity 1'7 and is arranged to be actuated outwardly of said cavity to stroke a ball by means such as a coil spring 21 which may surround the pin 20, and may have one end engaging theblade or head 10 on the inside of the cavity and the other end engaging the inside of the stroking element. 85

i For retaining the stroking element in its normal position until it is desired to release the same to stroke the ball, a lug 22 may be provided on the rear of the stroking element and may have a socket 23 therein to be engaged by a trip rod 24 slidable in a bore 25 through the blade or head and its trunnion 13. The lug 22 may be provided with an inclined rear cam face 26 to engage the trip rod 24 and urge the same to its retracted position when the stroking element 18 is depressed back into the cavity 17 after a stroke has been made, the end of the rod 24 riding over the cam and into the socket 23 to hold the element 18 in its normal position. The trip rod 24 may normally be held with an end in engagement in the socket 23 by means of a spring 27.

In order that the trip rod 24 may be controlled from the grip end of the handle, it may be provided with a reduced portion at 28 providing a bevelled shoulder at 29 and an actuating rod 30 may be extended down through a bore 31 in the handle from the grip portion and may have a lower bevelled end as at 32 for engaging the bevelled shoulder 29 upon downward movement of rod 30, to retract the trip rod 24 against the action 11c The upper end of the bore 31 through the handle may be enlarged to provide a shoulder at 35 and to house a spring 36 surrounding the act1iating rod 30 and engaging said shoulder at one end thereof and at the other end engaging a flange or collar 37 fixed on the end of actuating rod 30, the spring 36 acting normally to urge the rod 30 upwardly. The rod:30 may be arrangegl to be depressed to release the trip rod 24 by means of a button 38 secured thereto and" extending through a slot 39 in the upper side of the handle adjacent the grip whereby "button 38 may be engaged and pushed downwardly'by the thumb. In use it will be understood that the club will be addressed tethe ball in'the mannerof' a golf club and the player may take a grip and stance somewhatsimilar to that used inthe regulation game of golf. The player as has been described first sets the club face at the angle desired for the particular shot contemplated, the stroke is then made by pushing the button 38 downwardly causing the stroking element 13 to be released whereby it swings outwardly and upwardly under the action of spring 21', the player if he desires immediately releasing the button allows it to return to its normal position. After the stroke is made, the stroking element is merely pushed back into its normal position in which it is locked by the trip rod 24.

It will appear from the foregoing that by the invention I have provided a simple device capable of effective use in a game similar to golf. on a miniature course. This device may of 'course be adapted to croquet or other'ball stroking games,

and may be used for example on a course arranged 'on'th'eifioor, table or the like indoors or on a miniature outdoor course for any of such games.

' Modifications of the invention other than those suggested here may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,'I claim:

lfAball' strokingimplement comprising a'h an dle, an adjustable head carried thereby a 'ball atablefrom adjacent the grip portion of the hanme'.

stroking element pivotally mounted in the head and means for moving said element outwardly on the pivot to stroke a ball, said means being oper- 4. A ball stroking implement comprising a handle, a head carried thereby, a ball stroking element pivotally mounted in the head and means for'actuating said element to stroke a ball, said means comprising a spring, means iorlo ckingthe stroking element in a retracted position int'he head and means iorreleasing said locking means. 5. A ball strokingimplement comprisinga dle, a head carr'ied thereby, a bail stroking ele: ment piyotally mounted inthe headand means for actuating said element to stroke abalLsaid means comprising a springmeans for locking the stroking element in a retracted position' inbthe head andmeans for releasing said lockingmeans comprising an {element extending along the'han-v die and ope'ratable "from adjacent 'thegripf 6. -A ball stroking implement comprising a handle, an angularly adjustable head, means forsecuring said head adjusted positions, a' ball 10 stroking element pivotally'mounted'in the head .and means for moving said'element on the pivot to' stroke'aball. v

' '7. A ball stroking implement comprising ahandle a head, a stroking element piv tally mounted m tees ries was was;

FREDERICK NORMAN-VAN DER U 1139' 

